Home » Poems » Paul Callus » Cold, Hot and Bothered

Cold, Hot and Bothered

Cold Monday morning
 He mumbles under his breath
 Car engine stutters
 As he turns the key in vain
 Temperature is rising.


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 Written ~ 20th March, 2015
 Contest: Tanka 2
 Sponsor: Andrea Dietrich
 Placed: 4th

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Delice Arleen Skelly

Date: 5/27/2015 4:16:00 AM

Reading with pleasure your eastern poetry. The thing about tanka is those extra two lines, they allow the writer to set the scene. As haiku the poem works perfectly but tanka takes it one step further. Really a very good poem~Delice

Paul Callus
Date: 5/27/2015 10:08:00 AM

Thank you Delice. I am pleased that you found this Tanka to your liking. I appreciate your reading and commenting. All the best. // paul

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 4/5/2015 4:37:00 PM

LOL, Paul.... I got a thing for replies, it triggers my e-mails. I'm glad you don't mind...LINDA

Paul Callus
Date: 4/5/2015 5:28:00 PM

Not at all:) Don't forget to pick up that pen.....:) hugs // paul

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 4/4/2015 9:24:00 PM

ha, This is what I can an honor, to come back again and again... hehehe LINDA

Paul Callus
Date: 4/5/2015 10:21:00 AM

From now on I'll just leave the door ajar...just walk in...you should know your way around by now:):) // paul

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 4/2/2015 6:57:00 PM

thanks Paul, for always taking your time to support us in any which way possible...LINDA

Paul Callus
Date: 4/3/2015 8:11:00 AM

At your service, ma'am !:)

Maurice Yvonne

Date: 4/1/2015 12:05:00 PM

I love the classic Tanka twist and how you arrived to it Paul.

Paul Callus
Date: 4/1/2015 12:25:00 PM

Many thanks, Armand. Glad that you enjoyed. // paul

Joseph May

Date: 3/24/2015 3:16:00 PM

I like the double entendre effect of the last line...Congrats on your win Paul

Paul Callus
Date: 3/24/2015 3:30:00 PM

Thank you Joseph, both for the visit and intelligent comment. // paul

Michael Dom

Date: 3/24/2015 12:11:00 PM

Monday mornings...I feel you.

Paul Callus
Date: 3/24/2015 1:39:00 PM

Thank you Michael. I am sure many people find themselves in a similar predicament! // paul

M. L. Kiser

Date: 3/24/2015 9:14:00 AM

Yep, that's the way it goes. Well done.

Paul Callus
Date: 3/24/2015 2:04:00 PM

I'm pleased you agree, ML:) Thanks for the visit. // paul

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 3/24/2015 8:44:00 AM

Unfortunately all the heat is under his collar. A very clever write Paul!

Paul Callus
Date: 3/24/2015 2:22:00 PM

Glad you liked, Richard. I don't drive, but I know what it's like to be in such situations! // paul

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 3/24/2015 1:12:00 AM

I love the way you ended this leaving me laughing Paul. A Perfect Tanka! Oh, so you won with this one. I see by Kim's reply. Congrats too! I am not surprised. Cheers, Connie 7

Paul Callus
Date: 3/24/2015 3:27:00 PM

So glad that you enjoyed, Connie. I'm pleased with the result...not too bad for one who does not drive:) Thank you for a lovely visit! Hugs // paul

Kim Merryman

Date: 3/23/2015 10:28:00 PM

Good one, Paul! Congrats on your win! Love, Kim

Paul Callus
Date: 3/24/2015 12:34:00 PM

Glad you enjoyed it, Kim; thank you! All the best. // paul

Debbie Guzzi

Date: 3/23/2015 8:19:00 PM

So glad to have read your verse this evening keep up the good work! Congrad's Light & Love

Paul Callus
Date: 3/24/2015 3:33:00 PM

Glad you enjoyed, Debbie. Thanks for stopping by. // paul

James Fraser

Date: 3/23/2015 2:39:00 PM

Many congratulations Paul :) I don't drive but I can understand the frustration in your words // James..

Paul Callus
Date: 3/24/2015 2:24:00 PM

You're not the only one James!...I don't drive either...I always had drivers to take me around:) Txs for stopping by. // paul

Sandra Haight

Date: 3/23/2015 1:31:00 PM

Hi Paul, congratulations on your fine win for your Tanka! Love the nice twist in last two lines. Sandra

Paul Callus
Date: 3/24/2015 2:03:00 PM

Thank you Sandra. Lovely to have you stopping by. All the best. // paul

Kp Nunez

Date: 3/23/2015 8:58:00 AM

I bet his blood pressure too...:). Love this tanka, Paul. Congratulations on your win! Have a wonderfully blessed week. Hugs! :) Kim

Paul Callus
Date: 3/23/2015 12:07:00 PM

You are correct, Kim. That rising temperature had a lot to do with blood pressure!! Pleased that you enjoyed my Tanka. May you enjoy all this coming week, too:) Hugs // paul

Viv Wigley

Date: 3/23/2015 8:56:00 AM

As my late Father used to say in the 60's, trying to fire up his Austin A40, 'a little more choke!'. Nice verse, Paul, and good luck. Viv

Paul Callus
Date: 3/23/2015 12:04:00 PM

Hi Viv! The phrase "'a little more choke" used to be a common one in my younger days. Pushing a car to start it was also a common sight! Thanks for stopping by. // paul

Ravi Sathasivam

Date: 3/23/2015 5:48:00 AM

Awesome Tanka. Enjoyed reading it. Tfs

Paul Callus
Date: 3/23/2015 11:52:00 AM

Thank you for the 'awesome' comment, Ravi! All the best. // paul

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/22/2015 11:04:00 PM

Paul my poor eldest brother died 30 years ago, run down by a drunk driver as he sat on the curb of an empty street at 2 am. what are the odds? he was such a fantastic guy!

Paul Callus
Date: 3/23/2015 11:57:00 AM

That was a terrible tragedy, Andrea! The family must have been shocked at the news, especially your mother. Even after 30 yrs it must still be fresh in the mind. Take care. // paul

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 3/22/2015 1:55:00 PM

PAUL, Congratulations on your awesome TANKA 2 win Always & Forever <3 Luv ~LINDA~

Paul Callus
Date: 3/22/2015 2:45:00 PM

Thank you Linda; we finished standing next to each other on the podium:) hugs // paul

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser

Date: 3/22/2015 7:56:00 AM

I like how the temperature rise up with the cold. :) Nice tanka!! COngratulations! :)//olive eloisa hugs!

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser
Date: 3/24/2015 1:39:00 AM

I watched the teaser Paul.. :) Last time on one of my favorite channels, Malta is featured as one good place to have vacation. vacation.. vacation.. :D!

Paul Callus
Date: 3/22/2015 8:24:00 AM

Thank you Olive_eloi!:) Hope you are keeping well; I have been very busy this week...just like me!!:) On Friday we launched the Safi Documentary; a short teaser is available on FB. The whole doc is 1hr15mins long. Hugs // paul

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/21/2015 9:16:00 PM

I was not sure how to place this one, but then I thought, oh heck it is just too cute, the guy's temperature rising despite the cold. Congrats on this enjoyable poem.

Paul Callus
Date: 3/22/2015 7:59:00 AM

Thank you Andrea; I am more than pleased with my 4th place! I took a gamble by tackling an unusual topic. Glad you found it cute:) // paul

Rajat Kanti Chakrabarty

Date: 3/21/2015 12:36:00 PM

How are you Paul ? Hope you are enjoying your days. I loved this Tanka. God bless you. My love and regards....rajat

Paul Callus
Date: 3/21/2015 3:42:00 PM

Hi Rajat! As busy as ever! Glad you enjoyed this Tanka, and thank you for stopping by my friend. Regards // paul

Eve Roper

Date: 3/20/2015 8:39:00 AM

Even though I have a double car garage I still leave our rigs outside. You are so right, 7 Blessings dear friend

Paul Callus
Date: 3/20/2015 9:58:00 AM

It is frustrating when a car plays you up, especially on a Monday morning when one usually has to go back to work after the weekend! Thank you for stopping by, Eve...and for the high rating. // paul

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 3/20/2015 4:47:00 AM

- Cold Friday morning ..... but thankfully ..... temperature is rising :) - Well written tanka, Paul! - I wish you luck in the contest ... and a beautiful weekend - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Paul Callus
Date: 3/20/2015 9:49:00 AM

Thank you for the 'like', Anne Lise! May you too have a lovely weekend:) hugs // paul